BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Tornado-ravaged Hackleburg was in danger of losing its largest employer last spring, but a team effort of state agencies and local governments helped save and grow the Wrangler jeans distribution center.

The facility, owned by VF Corp., employed 150 people when it was destroyed in the April 27 tornado outbreak. Now the company is making plans to rebuild a larger, $31 million distribution center that could eventually employ 250 people.

"The governor said, 'We're going to save the Wrangler plant,'" Byard said. "Everybody who was asked, they came through."

That included incentives put on the table by Hackleburg and Marion County, which were already stretched by tornado losses and cleanup. Alabama Power also offered breaks, and the state assisted with grants and loans.

Losing the plant entirely was not an option, Byard said, calling that prospect a "double tornado."

Construction is expected to start on the new facility during the second quarter, and it should be complete in about a year, said David Thornell, president of the C3 Northwest Economic Development Alliance.

In the meantime, the company is using a sewing facility in Hackleburg and a former distribution center in Holly Pond as temporary distribution sites.